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Products you added to your system in 2021 that made most impact to your music enjoyment

As 2021 comes to an end, just thought it would be cool to share some of the most impactful audio upgrades in your system this year?
Here’s my top 5 list…

1. Pass Labs XP-12: Upgrade path was from Rogue RP-1 to Rogue RP-5 and then to Pass XP-12 that was the final touch. Huge improvements across the board. Mates well with my Rogue ST-100 tube amp.

2. Phono Cartridge: Goldring E3 MM to Hana EL MC. Clarity, presentation, dynamics in spades!

3. Phono Pre: From the built in phono pre in RP-1 and RP-5 to MoFi UltraPhono to Sutherland KC Vibe MkII. Lowered noise floor, increased resolution, dynamics. The KC Vibe MkII is almost double the cost of the MoFi and it’s the one of the few upgrades where an improvement was proportional to the cost difference. At least in my system. Records that seemed noisy become more listenable. A great little phono pre. 

4. Audience AU24sx speaker cables. These speaker cables are a clear window into a recording. Nothing hidden, nothing exaggerated. 

5. Power Cords: Acoustic Zen Gargantua for preamp and amp. Lower noise floor, increased resolution, natural sound, expanded soundstage

Honorable mentions:

1. Acoustic Zen Absolute Copper interconnects. In my opinion the AZ cables don’t get the respect they deserve on these forums anymore, overshadowed by some of the “flavor of the day” newcomers (without going into specifics on brands).

2. Puritan PSM156 power conditioner. 
3. Supra Cat8 Ethernet cable.

4. Lumin U1 Mini

5. MoFi LP#9 Stylus Cleaner. Better than the Onzo ZeroDust although I still use the Onzo between the sides. 

128x128audphile1
mwatsme's avatar
mwatsme
187 posts
 

Built a stereo pair of DIY Linkwitz Labs Phoenix (Alt) open-baffle subwoofers to mate with LXmini mains. ’Alt’ means using Tymphany Peerless XLS 83500 (Denmark) drivers instead of the 4 original-spec 12" drivers. Now the bass is as articulate and transparent as the LXmini - perfect pairing.

Also incorperated a pair of Hypex FA-series plate amps into each of those subs, so now the active crossover/DSP functions and Ncore amplification for the entire system is all handled at the subs. This means that (other than mechanical sources: CD and phono) there is only one piece of gear needed (streamer/preamp) - essentially downsized and uncomplicated like a ’lifestyle’ system.

The streamer/preamp could be anything, and I’ve tried several options; Node, NAD M12, and currently using C658 (to play with Dirac). Might try a Lyngdorf or miniDSP Studio or Pi w/hat in the future.

ejr1953
912 posts
 
Four AST Acoustics bass traps!
rajugsw
213 posts
 

The KEF R3’s that I still have on loan from a friend.

Orchard Audio Ultra Amplifier.

Bluesound Node 2i

My own Open Baffle Debacles with integrated dual stacked 12” H-Frame Subwoofer section.

more homebrew room treatment - Skyline diffusers and 24”x24” absorbers.. !

jkeitel's avatar
jkeitel
18 posts
 
  1. Linear Power Supply for Planar 8
  2. Ania to Apheta 3 for Planar 8
  3. Cambridge Audio DAC Magic Plus to Merason DAC 1
  4. Vintage Custom JBL 3 Way 4520/4530/C36 Hybrid to DeVore O/96 
marty46127
4 posts
 

Analog domain: Hana EL cartridge ( replaced MoFi StudioTracker) as an add to my Technics 1500C

Digital domain: Add Technics SL-G700 SACD player/streamer via balanced inputs

Receiver: Replaced Yamaha RX-A3080 with Yamaha RX-A8A (huge difference though A8A has a few quirks)

Remainder of system: Martin Logan 60 XTI fronts, ML 50 XTI center, ML Dynamo 1600 Sub, PS Audio Stellar 300 powering stereo front via balanced interconnects

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